Find a Verified and Licensed
Real Estate Appraiser

Find an appraiser through professional organizations like Appraisal Institute, professional recommendations, or online directories like FindAnAppraiser.com.

A real estate appraiser evaluates properties to determine their fair market value, using various methods and data to provide an unbiased estimate.

Appraisals are needed for mortgage lending, property tax assessments, estate planning, determining fair market value for buying or selling properties, and others

Residential appraisal costs typically range from $300 to $800, depending on the property's size, location, and complexity. Factors such as the local real estate market and the appraiser's experience can also influence the price.

Commercial building appraisal costs vary widely, typically ranging from $2,000 to $10,000+, depending on the property's size, type, and complexity.

A typical residential appraisal takes 1-2 weeks from inspection to report delivery. Commercial appraisals may take 2-4 weeks or longer. It is highly dependent on the appraisal assignment's complexity.

Documents needed may include property deed, recent tax bills, floor plans, rent roll, profit and loss statements and information about recent improvements or renovations.

For lending purposes, appraisals are done when buying, selling, or refinancing. For other purposes like insurance, taxes, or personal knowledge, every 3-5 years is typical, or more frequently if significant changes occur to the property or market.

Commercial appraisers focus on income-producing properties and use different valuation methods, while residential appraisers specialize in homes and condos.

Common types include sales comparison, cost approach, income approach, and hybrid methods combining these approaches.

Accuracy varies by method and available data. The sales comparison approach is often most accurate for residential properties, while the income approach is preferred for commercial properties.

A professional appraisal can help you appeal your property tax assessment if it shows your property's value is lower than the assessed value.

An appraisal can be crucial for estate planning to determine the fair market value of real estate assets for tax purposes and equitable distribution.

A divorce appraisal is essential for determining fair property value during asset division. It's conducted by a certified appraiser agreed upon by both parties, who assesses the property's condition, location, and comparable sales to provide an unbiased valuation for the divorce settlement.

Residential appraisal services include purchase appraisals, refinance appraisals, PMI removal appraisals, estate appraisals, tax appeal appraisals, just to name a few.

MAI (Member, Appraisal Institute) designates experienced commercial appraisers, while SRA (Senior Residential Appraiser) indicates expertise in residential property valuation.

Typically, the party requesting the appraisal pays for it. In a purchase transaction, it's often the buyer, but this can be negotiated.

Commercial appraisals vary based on property complexity and purpose. Types include full narrative reports, summary reports, restricted reports, desktop appraisals, and specialty appraisals for unique properties. The chosen type depends on the property's nature and the appraisal's purpose, such as financing, insurance valuation, or investment analysis.